Weller Foundation Honors 2003 Recipients

By Larissa Lytwyn

Jacqueline McMahon, a first grade teacher at Sandy Hook School, was recently awarded the 2003 Weller Excellence in Teaching Award in recognition of her projected entitled, “Units of Study in the Writer’s Workshop,” which was implemented in the first grade. In addition, eight Newtown High School seniors were awarded individual college scholarships.

The recipients were honored at an annual awards banquet by Weller Foundation, Incorporated, May 7. The event was held at the Dolan School of Business at Fairfield University. Mrs McMahon also received a $1,000 award and a certificate of honor. Kelly Coney, daughter of Susan Coney, received the $6,000 Weller Medical/Health Sciences Scholarship, established in 1995 to help further student interest in a health care career. Kelly will begin studies at Ithaca (N.Y.) College this fall to become a physical therapist.

Christopher Thibdeau, son of Mr and Mrs John Thibdeau of Sandy Hook, received the $4,000 Weller Instrumental Music Scholarship. Christopher will be attending the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester (N.Y.) this fall, where he will continue his studies on cello.

As a finalist competing for the $12,000 Barton L. Weller Scholarship, Anthony Altieri, son of Mr and Mrs Leonard Altieri of Sandy Hook, was awarded an $800 scholarship for his project, “A Guide to High Pressure Liquid Chromatography.” He will be attending the University of Connecticut this fall.

Stephanie Kraushaar, daughter of Mr and Mrs Kurt Kraushaar of Sandy Hook, was awarded the $500 Senior Science Award, established in 1962 to honor an outstanding senior who has demonstrated the ability to achieve recognition in science. Stephanie will be attending Fairfield University this fall.

Jacqueline Ruiz, daughter of Mr and Mrs Joseph Ruiz, received the $500 Eleanor F. Moore Business Award, established in 1973 to recognize an outstanding senior who has demonstrated the ability to achieve recognition in the business field. She will be attending the University of Delaware this fall.

Finally, the recipient of the $500 Paul W. Broggi Communications Award is Jessica Horvath, daughter of Mr and Mrs Raymond Horvath of Sandy Hook. The award was established in 1968 to honor an outstanding senior who has demonstrated the ability to achieve recognition in the communications field. Jessica will be attending Syracuse (N.Y.) University this fall.

Introduced to the school system in 1990, the Weller Excellence in Teaching Award acknowledges the teaching quality and innovation exhibited by classroom teachers of students from kindergarten to fifth grade. The Weller Foundation, Incorporated, is a nonprofit organization established in 1962 to provide financial assistance to educational, charitable, and civic organizations. It is well established in the area for its numerous scholarship programs, student awards, and other supporting contributions.